Monday, May 31, 2010

I made this 6" x 6"baby announcement using My Digital Studio this afternoon. I was going to use it in my customer newsletter, but by the time I shrunk it down to put it in the newsletter, you could hardly see the photo. So I'll just use the photo instead.

Here's are a couple other versions I worked on:

(This one would have the photo and birth details inside. I didn't mock that part up yet.)

For all three cards, I started with a designer template and changed a few elements to customize it. I love that you can start go the quick and easy route and use a template or create from scratch.

Ready to learn more about My Digital Studio? Check out this introduction video from Stampin' Up! and click here for more information about the software.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

I'm back!! Did you miss me!? It's been a week since Baby Anna arrived and I am feeling great! This weekend, I finally feel like myself again! Not so tired and worn out. And it feels great to have my body to myself again. I can see my toes again and they aren't fat little sausages anymore! And my ankles! I have cute little ankles and skinny legs. I didn't realize just how swollen I had gotten until it all went away!

I spend a lot of time holding and nursing the baby and am thinking about stamping more than I actually get to stamp, but I hope to steal away a few moments next week to do some real stamping, especially after I get my new catalog pre-order and have new stuff to play with!

Here's a new project for you -- we dressed up these little favor boxes in Stamp Club this month. The Island Oasis Party Favor Boxes (#117178, $5.95 for 12) are available in the Summer Mini Catalog and come with 6 striped boxes and 6 polka dot boxes. They coordinate with the Island Oasis DSP, but are colorful dressed up with any stamp set for any occasion!

We used the Itty Bitty Bits stamp set with the coordinating punch and buttons to make the tag for our boxes. (Watch for more projects with that trio of products later this week.)

The So Saffron flower was made with the 5-Petal Flower Punch. I punched it once and then adhered it to scrap paper with Dotto (removable adhesive) and punched it again. Check out the picture below to see how I lined it up. I got this idea from fellow demonstrator Blaise Hoopes. I love finding new ways to use my punches!

Sunday, May 23, 2010

I didn't plan to post an update until I got home from the hospital, but Mom brought her laptop this morning, so I thought I would post real quick and share the happy news!

Anna Rose Davison arrived at 2:10 am this morning, May 23, 2010. When I arrived at the hospital at 12:45 am, I was already 8 cm dilated. Labor went fast and everything went well. Anna weighed in at 8 lbs 13.5 oz and was 20.5 inches long.

It's hard to believe it's only been 12 hours! We are both doing great, just very tired! Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers as we get settled into a new routine. I won't be posting EVERY day with new projects, but I do have more to share later this week!

Oooh! One final note! I checked the Baby Blog Candy Contest and was stunned to find the very first comment to be the winner -- and she was only ONE MINUTE off! Wow! Congratulations, Vicki! Please email me your address and I will send your card kit later this week.

Vicki Wizniuk said...

My guess is May 23 at 2:11 am. Sorry you're past your due date, as I know how that feels. Wishing you and baby the best!vwizniuk(at)pris(dot)ca

Saturday, May 22, 2010

UPDATE: 5-22-10; 11:00 pm CT -- Time to close the Baby Blog Candy contest! Labor is picking up and I expect to be heading to the hospital sometime overnight! I'll post all the baby details when I get home in a couple days.

-------------Original Post from May 17, 2010-------------

Well, my due date has come and gone. (It was yesterday.) I'm not surprised this baby is going to be late. (My last two were each a week late.) Help me pass the time with a little Blog Candy game! Leave a comment on this post and make a guess as to the date and time my little one will arrive. (5-22-10: Commenting now closed.) After I'm home from the hospital, I'll check all the comments and whoever guessed closest to the actual delivery date and time will win a free Sunshine Garden Card Kit!

This Sunshine Garden Quick Cards Kit is just one of several project kits that are currently available to purchase. I have a few extras that are already packaged and ready to mail! Click here to see more or place an order.

Here's another project we made in Stamp Club this month. I love the clean layout, and the bright colors just really pop!

We used the new Presto Patterns DSP and brayered it to Lavender Lace to make the pattern come out. (I love this pre-printed paper that works just like an emboss resist!) The stamp set, Elements of Style, is on special this month. When you purchase this Summer Mini catalog stamp set in clear or wood mount, you'll also get a package of Designer Brads for free! Click here for all the promotion details.

Friday, May 21, 2010

I pre-ordered my new catalogs today! I used Great Reward points to get them for free (another great perk of being a demonstrator!). If you order from me, you know I'll hook you up when July 1st rolls around. And for those of you who are local, watch for details on my annual customer appreciation event. I'm planning to squeeze it in at the end of June, but haven't decided on a date yet. Last year my catalogs came the day of our party, so hopefully the timing will work out just as well this time.

I can't wait to see the new catalog! Demonstrators will get their free copy when they place their new catalog product pre-order in June. I am already planning to expedite my order so that I can be ogling over it on June 3rd. I'm sure I'll spend many wee hours of the night looking it over while I'm up with the baby! If you want to be one of the first to get the new catalog AND to be able to pre-order new products on June 1st, you should consider becoming a demonstrator! Sign up by the end of May and get two free technique DVDS with over 37 demonstrations of WOW techniques. We've got room for all kinds of demonstrators -- whether you just want a discount on your own purchases or to make a little extra cash to pay off a bill each month! Click here for more information about becoming a demonstrator.

Whew! I'm sorry about rambling. I didn't intend to write so much! Let's get on to some new projects! This month, we made an easel card at my group meeting and at stamp club. I was using up some retiring cardstock and some scraps, so I ended up with two slightly different variations.

I love the Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz. It's very subtle and adds a pearlescent touch to your project. Here's a close-up with it tilted in the light so you can kind of see the effect.

I just realized that I didn't take a picture of the card when it's folded up flat. You can put it in a regular envelope and then the greeting (or other embellishment) on the inside is adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals and allows the card front to be folded back and propped up against it. I love the idea that the card can easily be displayed on a desk, table, or shelf after it's opened.

Click here to view a tutorial on SplitcoastStampers for more information about making this card. It's super easy -- and a little addictive after you make the first one!

I first made this little purse box and 3x3 notecard set three years ago. (See my original versions here and here.) I remade it using some of the new Island Oasis DSP and the new level 1 hostess stamp set, It's the Thought. Those little images are just so cute and perfect for these mini cards!

The purse box is designed to hold at least three 3x3 cards and envelopes. I adhered matching DSP to the envelope flaps to dress them up a little.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

I made up these quick 3x3 cards to send along with the Pendant Card Kits as a thank you for online orders during my maternity leave. (Click here for details on my special.)

I used the same colors as the Pendant Card Kit: Kraft, Dusty Durango, and Whisper White. The stamp set, Elements of Style, makes this card quick, but elegant. Order the Elements of Style stamp set during the month of May and you can choose a package of designer brads for FREE! Click here for details.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Every month at my demonstrator meetings, we make a new technique card. It's a quarter sheet size and goes on a big binder ring for easy reference. This month, the technique was called "Impressionistic Stamping". It was something I had never tried before until we made the card at the meeting. The new Watercolor Trio stamp set from the Summer Mini Catalog is so perfect for this technique. Here are a couple cards I made over the weekend:

Impressionistic Stamping: Wet cardstock with water using an Aquapainter or mist bottle. Stamp once or twice with Classic ink or markers. Allow cardstock to dry. Stamp once again over the previous “watercolored” image.

On the first card, I actually stamped the first time on dry cardstock and then sprayed the cardstock with water and got a lot more spreading of the ink. Also, I used Whisper White cardstock on my cards. The Watercolor Paper would be an excellent choice as it's designed to accept and work better with such much water.

Would you like access to all of the technique cards we have made at group meetings? Sign up to be a demonstrator and enjoy this as well and many other benefits! Join by May 31 and you'll also get 2 Free technique DVDs, which combined include 37 demonstrations of new projects and techniques that are sure to inspire you! Click here for more information!

Did I mention that demonstrators have the opportunity to view the new catalog in as few as two weeks!?! Not only do we get the chance to pre-order new products on June 1st, but our copy of the new catalog will be shipped in the same box as that order! Just another of the many perks you can enjoy as a demonstrator!Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

I always forget about the die-cut notecards that Stampin' Up! sells. They kind of get lost in the back of the catalog. There are actually three styles to choose from and they are perfect for making quick cards that look stunning and take very little time to finish. (Check them out on page 168 of the catalog or look in my Online Store under Paper --> Cards & Envelopes.)

This card uses the Pendant Die Cut Notes. I trimmed 1/4" off the card front and punched out the die cut part. I added a 4" x 4" square of Dusty Durango cardstock, adhered to the back of the card front so it shows though the die-cut center and on the side. As a finishing touch, I added some coordinating Dusty Durango Polka Dot Ribbon.

You can get a FREE Pendant Card Kit (which includes supplies to make three of these cards) when you place a qualifying online order with me between May 15 and June 15. Click here for all the details about my Maternity Leave Special.

Friday, May 14, 2010

It's time for a new project kit! My project kits are a great alternative to attending a class in person. Everything comes pre-cut and ready to stamp in the convenience and comfort of your own home when your schedule allows.

The bright bold colors of the Thoroughly Modern Designer Paper add such a beautiful splash of color to these oversized cards, coordinating envelopes, and gusseted envelope holder that your recipients are sure to be wowed!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

I didn't intend for this to be a monochromatic card, but since squirrels and nuts are brown, by the time I colored them and added the textured background (I think it looks like tree bark, don't you?), I ended up with all browns: Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, and Chocolate Chip.

Two of those browns are retiring: Creamy Caramel and Close to Cocoa. And on that note, I must tell you that the demand for the retiring colors has been MUCH more than Stampin' Up! forecasted. I highly recommend that you purchase the retiring color products that you want ASAP. Quantities will not be guaranteed through the end of May as we originally anticipated. Click here to place an order now.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

I love clean and simple cards. The new Watercolor Trio set lends itself perfectly to quick, clean, and simple cards. For this card, I used the pre-packaged notecards and envelopes (#107311, $5.95 for 20). I stamped with Versamark ink, brushed on some Stampin' Pastels chalk (#105542, $24.95) and finished with a stamped greeting. So soft and pretty! With three different flowers in this stamp set and 48 colors of chalk, you can make each notecard different!

Friday, May 7, 2010

Between my group meeting Tuesday night and prepping project kits to send out, I haven't had much time to stamp anything new this week. Hopefully that will change over the weekend and I'll get to catch up on some stamping projects. I did squeeze in a card this afternoon for Stacey's latest Curtain Call Color Challenge: Act 28.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Here's my other card for our group Summer Mini swap. I finished my swaps at the last minute (how typical of me!) and after I gave them to the swap hostess, I realized it still was missing something and added the ribbon. I love this monochromatic look and how the stamp set image coordinates so well with the Island Oasis DSP!

(I just realized as I uploaded the picture that it's really dark. Sorry about that! I need to start taking my photos well before the sun wants to set!)

Monday, May 3, 2010

I went back to the FTL86 layout for this card that I designed for our group swap. (Click here to see my first card using this sketch.) I punched various size circles with the Island Oasis DSP and added a few images from the Tropical Party stamp set.

Thanks to everyone who placed an order with me in April! I drew one winner from all of the online and email orders and Beth Taylor from Shawnee is the lucky stamper to win the Picture This stamp set! Congratulations, Beth!

It's a new month and time for a new free stamp set giveaway! This month I have something a little different in store for you! Stay tuned for more details of my Maternity Leave special as my due date approaches (less than two weeks now!)

Ready to place an order now? Click here to go right to my online store and shop from the convenience and comfort of your home.

Last week, I did a fundraiser for my daughter's preschool using a now-retired Simply Scrappin' Kit called Sunshine Garden. (I offered this class last spring, too, in case it looks familiar!) The flip scrapbook and cards are so quick and easy and the colors are bright and fresh. I have several kits leftover from the fundraiser class, so I posted them with my other Project Kits. (They are ready to ship right now!) Click here for details on the Sunshine Garden Project Kits. There are two options: the flip scrapbook is one kit and the 8 "Quick Cards" is another. If you buy them both, you'll save $2.

I still have a few kits leftover for past projects too. Click here to see what's still available.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

The Southern Caribbean cruise is coming to an end and from what I have heard so far, it sounds like it was absolutely fabulous! And being here at home instead of on that boat, (barely able to squeeze my swollen feet into flip flops today!) is making me all the more determined to earn the trip to Alaska next spring!

I bought the new Tropical Party stamp set (available in the Summer Mini Catalog!) to scrapbook last year's trip to Hawaii. I haven't started the scrapbook yet, but I have been making some super cute cards using the coordinating Island Oasis DSP.

It's May 1st and time for a brand new mini catalog! If you are a customer of mine and haven't gotten a copy of the mini catalog in the mail, please send me an email and I will send one out to you right away! Can't wait? You can view in online right now! Click here to view the new Summer Mini Catalog or browse Summer Mini catalogs products in my Online Store.

May is National Scrapbooking Month and to celebrate, Stampin' Up! is offering a new special. Now through May 31, get a FREE package of Designer brads with a qualifying purchase.Click here to view the promotional flyer with all the details. Check out this new video from Stampin' Up! to see some great scrapbooking ideas using the promotional stamp sets and brads in action!

Looking for more some scrapbooking inspiration? Click here to view scrapbooking projects that I have posted on my blog over the last two years.

This is my personal blog. The content contained on this blog and in the classes, products, and services that I offer is my sole responsibility as an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and is not endorsed by Stampin' Up!